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Suit

Object number96.117.1 a,b

Manufacturer Albert Nipon

Date1988

MediumWool; Acetate

Credit LineGift of Sophie Masloff

DescriptionTwo-piece red wool skirt suit.Dimensions41.9999 x 24 in. (106.7 x 61 cm)
Marksjacket - 'ALBERT NIPON / SUITS' skirt - '100%WOOL/LINING 100%ACETATE/RN 50610/Dry
Historical NotesThis suit was worn by Sophie Masloff at her inauguration as mayor of Pittsburgh in 1988. Sophie Masloff, Pittsburgh’s first female and Jewish mayor, had an over 50-year career in politics and public service. Born to immigrant Romanian-Jewish parents in the city’s Hill District, Masloff began volunteering for the Democratic Party and working for Allegheny County as a teenager. In 1939, as a young bride, she concealed her marriage, as it violated the County’s policy of hiring only unwed, female employees. Despite these obstacles, Masloff ascended to Pittsburgh’s City Council in 1976, later serving as the first female president of Council in 1988. That same year, after the untimely death of Mayor Richard Caliguiri, she unexpectedly became Mayor. After finishing his term, Masloff successfully ran for Mayor at the age of 71, serving in the city’s top job until 1994. Albert Nipon began as a maternity line, with Albert Nipon running the business and his wife Pearl designing the clothes. It changed to a chic fashion line in the 1970s.

Previous owner Sophie Masloff (1917 - 2014)

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